Riffhams Chase, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford, Essex

Blake’s Wood

Forest recreation landscape

Place photograph

6.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandHillsWalkersPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.2

A woodland visit in the Danbury Commons and Blake’s Wood landscape, with paths through hilly, uneven terrain and a seasonal reputation for bluebells and autumn colour.

Blake’s Wood offers more than a quick stroll on level ground: the National Trust describes steep and uneven routes, while visitor accounts point to bluebell season and autumn colour as seasonal draws. It is a good choice for a proper woodland walk, but the terrain and mud mean it is less suited to anyone needing reliably level paths.

Peaceful · Seasonal

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Riffhams Chase, Little Baddow, near Chelmsford, Essex

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The experience

Allow around 1–2 hours for a woodland walk, adjusting the length to the weather and ground conditions. The supplied sources establish woodland paths, steep and uneven terrain, and a car park, but do not provide a verified short circular route within Blake’s Wood itself.

Things to do

Walk the woodland paths

Explore the paths at your own pace, allowing for steep, uneven ground and slippery sections.

Notice the autumn colour

A local walking account describes the woods as colourful in autumn.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Around 1 hour; adapt to conditions

Quick woodland escape

01
Start from the Blake’s Wood car park, after checking current access and parking information.
02
Take a short out-and-back on the woodland paths, turning back when the terrain or conditions warrant it.
03
In spring, look for bluebells; in autumn, notice the changing woodland colour.

Half day · Around 2–3 hours; route length and conditions vary

Make a half day of the woodland walk

01
Begin at Blake’s Wood car park and explore the woodland paths at a comfortable pace.
02
Allow extra time for steep, uneven sections and possible mud, particularly in winter.
03
For a longer outing, consider the sourced Blake’s Wood and Paper Mill loop only after checking its full route details and current conditions; it is listed as 7.4 miles with 597 feet of elevation gain.

When to go

Spring · Autumn · Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not identify a best time of day.

Visitor-source results mention bluebells in spring and a local walking account describes autumn colour. The National Trust notes that woodland paths can become muddy in winter.

Paths may be slippery, steep and uneven; winter woodland paths can become muddy. Check conditions before setting out.

What to look for

01
Look for seasonal bluebells in spring and changing woodland colour in autumn
02
these are visitor-reported highlights, not guaranteed conditions.

The story

No specific history theme established by the supplied sources.

Best time to go

Spring for the reported bluebell season; autumn for woodland colour. Winter paths may be muddy.

Try spring for the bluebells noted in visitor-source results, or autumn for the colour highlighted in a local walking account. Choose a dry spell if possible: paths can be muddy in winter.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Little Baddow, Chelmsford

Google rating

4.7 · 43 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The National Trust lists a Blake’s Wood car park and describes access via Riffhams Chase. Paths include steep, uneven sections and can be muddy in winter. Check current access information before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

The National Trust lists a Blake’s Wood car park; its access information directs drivers from Danbury village towards Little Baddow and then into Riffhams Chase. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

The National Trust lists dogs as allowed at the wider Danbury Commons and Blake’s Wood site. Keep dogs under close control because reptiles, including adders, are present; check current signage.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

Some routes are steep and uneven, with slippery sections; woodland paths can become muddy in winter. The National Trust notes unmade car park surfaces and no visitor facilities on site.

Cost

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Water

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